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If you are drinking more than the safe limits, you should aim to cut down your drinking.
You should regularly talk to your children about the risks of alcohol in a way that is appropriate for their age. If you feel your child is having a problem with alcohol, talk to your GP, as there are services now available for young people.
If you drink heavily you have an increased risk of developing
The more you drink, and especially above the recommended limits, the greater the risk of developing serious problems. And remember, binge drinking can be harmful even though the weekly total may not seem too high. For example, if you only drink once or twice a week, but when you do you drink 4-5 pints of beer each time, or a bottle of wine each time, then this is a risk to your health. Also, even one or two units can be dangerous if you drive, operate machinery, or take some types of medication.
If you feel that you need, or a relative or friend needs, help about alcohol then see your doctor or practice nurse. Or, contact one of the agencies listed below.
A charity which aims to change the UK's drinking habits for the better. Drinkaware promotes responsible drinking and finds innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture to help to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm.
There are over 3,000 meetings held in the UK each week, with over 40,000 members. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Tel: 020 7403 0888 Web: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Offers support for families and friends of alcoholics whether the drinker is still drinking or not.
Their misuse page includes information on the National Alcohol Strategy, and policy and advice on sensible drinking and the prevention of alcohol misuse.
What are the recommended safe limits of alcohol?
- Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.
- Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.
- Pregnant women. Advice from the Department of Health states that ... "pregnant women or women trying to conceive should not drink alcohol at all. If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk".
Do you know how much you are drinking?
When asked 'How much do you drink?' many people give a much lower figure than the true amount. It is not that people usually lie about this, but it is easy not to realise your true alcohol intake. To give an honest answer to this question, try making a drinking diary for a couple of weeks or so. Jot down every drink that you have. Remember, it is a pub measure of spirits that equals one unit. A home measure if often a double.If you are drinking more than the safe limits, you should aim to cut down your drinking.
What are the problems with drinking too much alcohol?
Health risks
About 1 in 3 men, and about 1 in 7 women, drink more than the safe levels. Many people who drink heavily are not addicted to alcohol, and are not alcoholics. To stop or reduce alcohol would not be a problem if there was the will to do so. However, for various reasons, many people have got into a habit of drinking regularly and heavily. But, drinking heavily is a serious health risk.You should regularly talk to your children about the risks of alcohol in a way that is appropriate for their age. If you feel your child is having a problem with alcohol, talk to your GP, as there are services now available for young people.
If you drink heavily you have an increased risk of developing
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).
- Cirrhosis (scarred liver). Up to 3 in 10 long-term heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis.
- Some cancers (mouth, gullet, liver, colon and breast).
- Stomach disorders.
- Pancreatitis (severe inflammation of the pancreas).
- Mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and various other problems.
- Wernicke's encephalopathy - an alcohol-related brain disorder treated with thiamine (vitamin B1).
- Sexual difficulties such as impotence.
- Muscle and heart muscle disease.
- High blood pressure.
- Damage to nervous tissue.
- Accidents - drinking alcohol is associated with a much increased risk of accidents. In particular, injury and death from fire and car crashes. About 1 in 7 road deaths are caused by drinking alcohol.
- Obesity (alcohol is calorie-rich). One glass of wine has as many calories as a bag of crisps and a pint of lager is the calorie equivalent of a sausage roll.
- Damage to an unborn baby in pregnant women.
- Alcohol dependence (addiction).
Where do these recommendations come from?
- The Department of Health recommends that men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day and women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day. 'Regularly' means drinking every day or most days of the week. And if you do drink more heavily than this on any day, allow 48 alcohol-free hours afterwards to let your body recover.
- The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) advises no more than 21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women. But also, have 2-3 alcohol-free days a week to allow the liver time to recover after drinking anything but the smallest amount of alcohol. A quote from the RCP... "in addition to quantity, safe alcohol limits must also take into account frequency. There is an increased risk of liver disease for those who drink daily or near daily compared with those who drink periodically or intermittently."
- The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee advise that people should have at least two alcohol-free days a week.
- Some would argue that the upper limits of the recommendations are too high. For example, one study found that more than two units a day for men and more than one unit a day for women significantly increases the risk of developing certain cancers.
The more you drink, and especially above the recommended limits, the greater the risk of developing serious problems. And remember, binge drinking can be harmful even though the weekly total may not seem too high. For example, if you only drink once or twice a week, but when you do you drink 4-5 pints of beer each time, or a bottle of wine each time, then this is a risk to your health. Also, even one or two units can be dangerous if you drive, operate machinery, or take some types of medication.
If you feel that you need, or a relative or friend needs, help about alcohol then see your doctor or practice nurse. Or, contact one of the agencies listed below.
Further resources and sources of help
Drinkline - National Alcohol Helpline
Tel: 0800 917 8282 Offers help to callers worried about their own drinking, and support to the family and friends of people who are drinking. Advice to callers on where to go for help.Drinkaware
Web: www.drinkaware.co.ukA charity which aims to change the UK's drinking habits for the better. Drinkaware promotes responsible drinking and finds innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture to help to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm.
Alcoholics Anonymous
PO Box 1 10 Toft Green, York, YO1 7ND Helpline: 0845 769 7555 Web: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.ukThere are over 3,000 meetings held in the UK each week, with over 40,000 members. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
AL-Anon Family Groups
61 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YFTel: 020 7403 0888 Web: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Offers support for families and friends of alcoholics whether the drinker is still drinking or not.
Department of Health
Web: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Alcoholmisuse/index.htmTheir misuse page includes information on the National Alcohol Strategy, and policy and advice on sensible drinking and the prevention of alcohol misuse.
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